Kiran Girls Scholarship and Mentoring Program

Education

Solutions

Launched in 2010, the Kiran Girls Scholarship and Mentoring Program is designed to illuminate opportunities in the fields of Information Technology and Computer Science. By providing scholarships, personalized mentoring, hands-on corporate exposure, and soft-skills training, the program aims to enhance career readiness among girls from underserved communities. Initially supporting just 10 girls from Pune and Nagpur, the program has significantly expanded to embrace 50 new scholars each year, making a remarkable impact on over 550 lives to date. With dedicated scholarships of 50,000 INR annually and the inclusion of additional scholars through affirmative action, the program is committed to fostering gender parity and nurturing technical skills among young women.

Recognizing the challenges faced by hostel students, particularly in managing expenses, the Foundation has focused its screening process on applicants who require extra support. This approach, coupled with government assistance for tuition fees, ensures that these talented girls have the resources they need to succeed in their educational journeys.

Benefits

The Kiran Girls Scholarship and Mentoring Program has made a profound impact on the career paths of its scholars. Many participants have landed prestigious roles at top-tier organizations, including Persistent Systems, Barclays, Amdocs, Capgemini, Texas Instruments, CISCO, Flipkart, Dassault Systems, and more. Salary ranges for these positions vary significantly, starting from 6 to 8 lakhs per annum and reaching as high as 22 lakhs per annum, with some exceptional performers even receiving offers upwards of 43 lakhs per annum.

Beyond financial empowerment, many of these young women, who are often the first in their families to pursue higher education, illustrate the transformative power of opportunity. Persistent employees contribute over 600 volunteer hours each year to mentor these scholars, providing guidance in project work, career planning, and coding fundamentals. This mentorship not only enhances academic prowess but also promotes holistic personal growth. Through a combination of individual and group mentoring, including specialized residential programs, Kiran scholars develop essential skills that prepare them for successful careers, personal fulfillment, and a positive impact on their communities.

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